Artfully Edmonds: The wondrous arts of summer

A sandcastle in the grasp of an octopus, from 2012’s sand sculpting contest. (Photo by Char Blankenship)

This (Thursday) afternoon you will find me with two of my six grandchildren, at Brackett’s Landing beach, practicing – what else! – the wondrous art of sand sculptures!

Yes, summertime brings all variations of art form to Edmonds and most definitely creating the perfect sand sculpture –one worthy of the coveted “Golden Bucket Award” on Tuesday takes thought, design, and execution.

But, the arts and events for this week only begin at the waterfront. Our news and mentions move through the city and into the neighborhoods as galleries, events, and activities for kids take the forefront in this week’s column.

Tuesday, Aug. 12 ~ 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Sand Sculpting ContestEdmond’s Marina Beach 650 Admiral Way South

We’ve mentioned it a time or two because we don’t want you to miss the fun. Nama’s Candy is generously sponsoring this weekend’s Sand Sculpting Contest to be held at Edmond’s Marina Beach (650 Admiral Way S.).

The fun begins at 10 a.m. this upcoming Tuesday. Judging for the “Golden Bucket Awards” begins at noon and “The Golden Buckets” will be presented at 12:30 p.m.

You can find additional information here or call the Edmonds Parks and Recreation at 425-771-0230.
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There’s a lot to do as we turn our attention away from the beach and meander into the middle of town. Let’s take a peek at what the parks and recreation department, the arts commission, various art galleries, and our neighboring municipalities have to offer for summer time fun this week:

Miss Rose & Her Rhythm Percolators will be featuring Prohibition Era Jazz this evening at this popular downtown gathering spot. Audiences delight at the unabashed romance, the playful humor, and the irresistible swing rhythms of Miss Rose and Her Percolators. You are invited by Miss Rose to brew up a few dance steps or sing along, if so inspired.

Miss Rose teaches ukulele promising students that, “Your never too young or too old to learn to play the ukulele!” Information about this lively troupe is available here.

This season’s Shakespeare in the Park ends with Love’s Labour’s Lost, produced by GreenStage. In Shakespeare’s comedy, Directed by Vince Brady, King Ferdinand of Navarre and his three noble pals make a solemn vow to steer clear of women and devote themselves to three years of earnest study and clean living.

Well, this is thrown out the window upon the arrival of the Princess of France and her entourage of three highly eligible young women.

Resorting to goofy disguises and frat-boy hijinks, our heroes do their best to win the favor of the ladies. A beautiful, poetic play that is a perfect summer romp for the parks!

Free! Refreshments available.
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One of Michele Usibelli’s works.

Saturday, Aug. 9 ~ 6:30-8:30 p.m.Cole Gallery107 5th Ave. S.

No one throws a gallery reception like Denise Cole. And that’s why “Artfully Edmonds” is taking note of this Sunday’s reception at Cole Gallery for Michele Usibelli. Ms. Cole invites the city and its surrounds, “Meet Michele and enjoy an evening of art, hors d’oeuvres and wine.”

Michele’s new show of small works continues her theme of experimentation. These small gems of vivid color and definitive brushwork have been created in oil, acrylic and gouache and combinations of these mediums, creating artwork that is unique and captivating.

Michele features her work in “one-of-a-kind”, fun and whimsical frames, adding to the overall feel of fresh summer fun!

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Sunday, Aug. 10 ~ 1 p.m.Gallery North

Awards will be presented at 2 pm by renowned Edmonds artists Alice Owen and Win Bainbridge during the exciting “Beauty of the Northwest” show at Gallery North on Sunday. The members of this co-operative gallery thank sponsors Elegant Gems, Art Spot, C’est le Vie, Edmonds Frame and Atelier, Edmonds Book Shop, and Digital Canvas for the success of this year’s showing. More than 50 paintings by 30 artists were entered in this excellent show!
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SeaStar

Sunday, Aug. 10 ~ 3 p.m. City Park 600 3rd Ave. S.

SeaStar, a Celtic Blend

Summer Concerts in City Park welcomes SeaStar with their “Celtic blend of old and new, the tranquil and passionate, the dramatic and playful. They are equal parts storyteller and muse, weaving a tapestry of poetry and music while leaving enough breathing room for the audience to dream and contemplate” proclaims critique for “Seattle Night Out”.

The band, which formed in 2007 when songwriter Fae Wiedenhoeft began performing original, Celtic-influenced material with fellow guitarist Doug Hayman, is based in Seattle but travels extensively, reflecting how much in demand their lively performances are.
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This year, A Taste of Edmonds takes on the flavor of a New Orleans carnival, with the festival’s seagull logo sporting a jester’s hat in the three official colors of Mardi Gras, violet, gold and green. This party sports many similarities to New Orleans’ famous fete.

Mardi Gras is about community coming together – and so is A Taste of Edmonds! Both are annual traditions that mark their season. Both offer the opportunity to celebrate outrageous colors, costumes, and cuisine!

New Orleans natives make their way up and down the Mississippi in paddleboats, and Edmonds’ waves its goodbyes and “welcome back” via Washington State’s ferries traveling up and down Puget Sound. Above all there is music: vital, rhythmic, keeping the beat to the good times that the crowd is collectively experiencing – and that is where “Artfully Edmonds” steps in.

We’d like to offer you this line up of performing arts that you can tap your toes to for the 3-day festival.

On Saturday, The Convergence Zone strums in with the start of the day, followed by Curtis Hammond Band and many other talents. How apropos that No Rules takes the stage just as the Geoffrey Castle Band closes out this year’s festival.

And remember to check out the “Edmonds Today” interview with Beatniks lead guitarist Mark Nelson here.

Edmonds Today host Teresa Wippel interviews Mark Nelson of the ever-popular Taste of Edmonds band, the Beatniks, scheduled to play the beer garden at 8 p.m. this Friday.

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Movies Under The Stars

Swedish/Edmonds 21601 76th Ave. W.

Friday, Aug. 8 ~ 8:30 p.m.

The outdoor movie season is (incredibly!) winding down for the Edmonds area; so I know that you will want to take advantage of “Movie Under The Stars” sponsored by Swedish/Edmonds. The health care provider is inviting the public to a healthy, upbeat, fun event!

A viewing of “The Lego Movie” which shows in the Swedish/Edmonds patio will begin at sun down just outside the hospital café on the second floor.

Free! YaY!!

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Celebrate Shoreline!

Aug. 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23 Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.

Shoreline City Hall
Outdoor Plaza Amphitheatre
18030 Meridian Ave. N.

Shoreline’s new theatre company, Aurora Theatre Company, announces its inaugural performance. The theatre company has chosen an adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim-James Lapine award-winning musical, “Into The Woods”.

“Into The Woods” is the retelling of one of Grimm Brothers darkest Fairy Tales. From the playbill “Into The Woods” is about a childless baker and his wife who endeavor to lift a curse placed on their family by journeying into the woods, where they encounter Rapunzel (and her witchy “mother”); Cinderella; Jack and the Beanstalk; ) and Little Red Riding Hood (among fairy tale “legends”). They all must learn the responsibility that comes with getting along while getting what you want.

Attendance is free, but does require a reservation. Reservations may be made at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/743470.

For the full playbill on “Celebrate Shoreline!” a ten-day infusion of festivities designed to spark celebration and community spirit every year on the City’s birthday, visit http://shorelinewa.gov/government/departments/parks-recreation-cultural-services/special-events/celebrate-shoreline.
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North City Jazz Walk 15th Avenue North – Shoreline

Tuesday, Aug.12 ~ 7 p.m.

Enjoy the best live jazz around at the 8th Annual North City Jazz Walk!

Take a stroll along 15th Avenue NE in Shoreline and enjoy one great venue after another between 7–10 p.m.

This year, come early and enjoy “Jazz Bites” delicious food items specifically provided for the event.

The 2014 line-up of 11 eclectic groups offers a close-up experience with some of the area’s best jazz players.

For more information – and to purchase tickets – please visit http://www.northcityjazzwalk.org/tickets.html

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Notes and Reminders:

Write on The Sound (WOTS)
Joanne Otness, Steering Committee Chair for October’s Write on The Sound conference (WOTS) reminds us that registration for the 2014 Write on the Sound opened last week and sessions are filling up quickly.

Conference highlights this year include:
• Seven pre-conference workshops and critique sessions, including a full-day of “Story Mastery” with Michael Hauge, and half-day sessions with Gerri Russell (Publishing 101) and Larry Brooks (How to Knock Your Story Out of the Park). Critique sessions include poetry with Holly Hughes, non-fiction with Marcia Woodard, and two fiction sessions: one with Kenny Rich and the other with Dan Hurley. Spaces are still available.
• Over 30 workshops and panel discussions are offered on Saturday and Sunday.
• The 21st annual WOTS writing contest theme is “Catch.” There is still time to enter! Deadline August 29.
• Keynote speaker Robert J. Sawyer will present “The Writing Life: Past, Present and Future” on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 1:00 p.m., Edmonds Center for the Arts. Tickets are included in conference registration and individual tickets are also available.
• “Table Topic Discussions” will be offered during Sunday Oct. 5 lunch hour. Various writing topics will be discussed in an intimate round-table format.
• A special presentation by illustrator and author Robyn Chance on Sunday, Oct. 5 . Explore the process of choosing which story element to illustrate and how to overcome some challenges involved with writing and illustrating picture books.
Register now for a weekend of inspiring ideas, useful information, and the opportunity to meet other authors from near and far. Available online at www.writeonthesound.com

Emily Hill is an author and long-time resident of Edmonds. She is retired from a career in public information and news media relations. If you would like your event listed, or venue featured, in Artfully Edmonds, contact her at arts@myedmondsnews.com.

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Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 79F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.

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